Police are appealing for witness after a man tried to push a girl into his car.

A 16-year-old girl was walking along Bywood Avenue on Friday July 12 towards the parade when a small blue hatchback car pulled up alongside her at 9.10pm.

The suspect is said to have got out of the vehicle and grabbed the victim by the arm and pushed her towards the car.

The girl managed to break from his grip and run off. The man was the only person in the car at the time.

Police were called a short while after the incident and officers took the victim on a drive-around of the area but they could not find the suspect.

The man is described as black, in his early 30s, about 6ft 2ins with short afro-style hair. He was said to be wearing a purple or red coloured polo shirt and blue denim jeans.

The car is a small, electric blue, four door hatchback with both the front and rear number plates covered in black tape.

Police Constable Mark Smith, from Croydon police, said: "We're appealing for anyone who was in the Long Lane and Bywood Avenue area on Friday night and who may have seen what happened to get in touch with us.

"This sort of incident is relatively rare, but we would remind young people and young women to take simple precautions when travelling home at night alone.

"It is a good idea to tell someone of the route you intend to take and the time you expect to set off and arrive.

"Consider carrying a personal alarm with you and try and stick to busy and well-lit roads or public transport routes."

Anyone information should call Croydon CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.